Magura MT-8 Loss of Brakes

Did a Ride this past Monday Night: start temp 35*f finish temp 24*f

I was riding with my usual Monday Night group when after a 1/4 mile uphill we encountered a tree that had fallen across the trail. A few of us had saws so we took about 15-20 minutes to clear the branches. I then jumped back on the bike and started the downhill section which is fast and rocky,,it was then that I went to apply the brakes and to my terror, both levers went right to the grips, absolutely no brakes and not a hint of hydraulic pressure. I crashed my new 2012 Epic S-Works wrecking the frame and gouging the rear shock as I went head over tail thru the biggest of rocks!!!

I could not possibly be more angry or amazed that both brakes would go from working perfectly to zero in one squeeze of the lever!!!

I guessing this happened because of the cold, but this is the first time in 6 yrs of riding Magura brakes,, summer and winter,,that I have had this experience.

To say I'm dissapointed in the new MT-8's would be a severe understatement

I was riding with my usual Monday Night group when after a 1/4 mile uphill we encountered a tree that had fallen across the trail. A few of us had saws so we took about 15-20 minutes to clear the branches. I then jumped back on the bike and started the downhill section which is fast and rocky,,it was then that I went to apply the brakes and to my terror, both levers went right to the grips, absolutely no brakes and not a hint of hydraulic pressure. I crashed my new 2012 Epic S-Works wrecking the frame and gouging the rear shock as I went head over tail thru the biggest of rocks!!!

I could not possibly be more angry or amazed that both brakes would go from working perfectly to zero in one squeeze of the lever!!!

I guessing this happened because of the cold, but this is the first time in 6 yrs of riding Magura brakes,, summer and winter,,that I have had this experience.

To say I'm dissapointed in the new MT-8's would be a severe understatement

I had a similar problem with just my front MT8, twice on really cold days - 5-15 degrees F. I had attributed it to cutting the line when I installed them, so each time I rebled, and haven't had a problem since.

That is a totally unacceptable occurrence. Send them to Magura for failure analysis - so the will know it's their fault and they can implement a redesign.
I have MT6's. I believe there is a complicated hydraulic circuit in the lever because they do not react as expected to bleeding and I've had mine make a pop noise and sudden change in bite point, then it recovered. They just aren't as simple at Martas.

I had a similar problem with just my front MT8, twice on really cold days - 5-15 degrees F. I had attributed it to cutting the line when I installed them, so each time I rebled, and haven't had a problem since.

DJ,, I understand what you are saying but I dont think this is the case. I have been riding the bike for 5 months,,, had the Shock and Brakes serviced before the VT50,, and have been riding it 4-5 times a week since with no issues.

Prior to this incident I was touting the excellence of the MT brakes,, I really felt they were the cat's meow,, Great Modulation, excellent power, all the things you would expect from a great brake.. but now I'm scared to keep them on the bike.

Magura Customer Support "wow"

I was contacted by Jude from Magura this afternoon and "wow",, Magura is driven to determine the cause of my issue. The have really stepped up and they're going to do everything in their power to satisfy "me" the consumer.

I was contacted by Jude from Magura this afternoon and "wow",, Magura is driven to determine the cause of my issue. The have really stepped up and they're going to do everything in their power to satisfy "me" the consumer.

I will report back when I know more.

Yup, that is typical (excellent) customer support by Jude / Magura. Even though I have never had any reliability issues with my Magura products, they have always answered any technical queries I have sent their way.

I was riding with my usual Monday Night group when after a 1/4 mile uphill we encountered a tree that had fallen across the trail. A few of us had saws so we took about 15-20 minutes to clear the branches...

I was riding with my usual Monday Night group when after a 1/4 mile uphill we encountered a tree that had fallen across the trail. A few of us had saws so we took about 15-20 minutes to clear the branches. I then jumped back on the bike and started the downhill section which is fast and rocky,,it was then that I went to apply the brakes and to my terror, both levers went right to the grips, absolutely no brakes and not a hint of hydraulic pressure. I crashed my new 2012 Epic S-Works wrecking the frame and gouging the rear shock as I went head over tail thru the biggest of rocks!!!

I could not possibly be more angry or amazed that both brakes would go from working perfectly to zero in one squeeze of the lever!!!

I guessing this happened because of the cold, but this is the first time in 6 yrs of riding Magura brakes,, summer and winter,,that I have had this experience.

To say I'm dissapointed in the new MT-8's would be a severe understatement

I had lost half the lever throw ~ bite contact and half the braking power with my rear brake all of a sudden, I was applying a short but firm pressure to the brake, this was a brand new Magura MT8, the hose had not been cut at all for installlation, after looking at the brake system, you can't find any oil that might have leaked. Temperature prob. in the 60"s F. I did notice the caliper piston on the opposte side of the brake hose was flush with the caliper, while the piston on the opposite side was partly out, not sure if the piston is sticking or just not enough pressure to move both pistons out at the same time, The first time this happened to me, I thought just a sticky piston, worked the piston in and out several times rebleed. But this has happened to me about a total of three times, half the power and half the bite contact point on the rear brake. First I called Magurausa no answer, then I emailed them about the problem and wanted a warranty replacement, no reply. Then I emailed racemechanic on the Magura forum, said you should of replaced them sooner, man I tried with no Magurausa response, so I'm going to keep trying so I don't end up wrecking my 2011 Epic S Works, I would want a new bike after that if I crashed like the other guy on here, People have been telling Magura the MT8 is having sudden loose of pressure, I think they should have a full recall on MT8s. I'm not happy with Magura service or response, have the receipt, had registered the brakes online with Magura within the thirty days of purchase. Getting the run around, tried the Magurausa first, no response, tried contacting someone in Europe, said go back to Magurausa...just to let you know how fun it can be with Magura. Will say the front brake works perfect, and is the best brake I have ever had, the rear brake works great, then dosen't, works great, then dosen't, continues to give me trouble with rebleeds, glad its only the rear brake. JUDE CAN YOU HELP ME ALSO?

Seriously guys - call Jude/Magura direct instead of posting all your stuff on the forum - Jude is pretty good about watching for stuff in here, but I would sure feel bad for you if he happens to miss a request for help.

Magura response time

Originally Posted by 006_007

Seriously guys - call Jude/Magura direct instead of posting all your stuff on the forum - Jude is pretty good about watching for stuff in here, but I would sure feel bad for you if he happens to miss a request for help.

Seriously guys - call Jude/Magura direct instead of posting all your stuff on the forum - Jude is pretty good about watching for stuff in here, but I would sure feel bad for you if he happens to miss a request for help.

I am the OP and agree with 006-007,, I should have contacted Jude directly, but I was reaching out to the forum to see if anyone else had this issue.
Magura has requested that I send back the complete brake system for them to do a complete examination of all the components. They have already shipped out a cpmplete new system so to impact my riding time as little as possible. To date Jude and the Magura team have been great to deal with.

If anyone has an issue I strongly recommend that you cantact Magura directly.

Yes,, we were riding after Hurricane Sandy and with 70-80 mph winds we knew there would be blow down. It's a 8" folding saw that I carry in my Camelbak,, very handy to have at all times.

Like SworksDan, I have ridden two of the last four days with a chainsaw in a backpack, clearing the remnants of the latest nor'easter from two of our local riding areas. Yup, people do this, it's how your trails end up rideable after big blowdowns. Seriously.

Like SworksDan, I have ridden two of the last four days with a chainsaw in a backpack, clearing the remnants of the latest nor'easter from two of our local riding areas. Yup, people do this, it's how your trails end up rideable after big blowdowns. Seriously.

Originally Posted by SworksDan

Yes,, we were riding after Hurricane Sandy and with 70-80 mph winds we knew there would be blow down. It's a 8" folding saw that I carry in my Camelbak,, very handy to have at all times.

Ok, you expected to find fallen trees/braches after Sandy so you carried proper equipment. The pocket chainsaw is definitely a good option if you want to carry it all the time. When I read "saws" in the first message I was thinking of big, heavy saws, that's why I was curious

I hope that Magura find a solution for this potentially risky issue with your brakes. Fortunately nobody seems to have been seriosly injuried.

I have had MT 8 brakes on my bike since April. Once bled properly and installing SwissStop pads they offer truly amazing, modulation and and great power, the best brakes I have used, period. So happy with them it is influencing my decision on a new 29er fork and seriously considering the Magura TS 8R fork.

I had issues initially with getting them bled correctly, but now I am totally happy with the MT8. The best modulation I have felt. I recently installed a 203/180 combo from 180/160, and I am even happier. I weigh 220 lbs and wanted even more stopping power, and I got it.

Phlegm,,OP here... It was discovered by Magura that my brake set was from a very early production run that had hard durometer seals,,, they had changed this early on but mine must have slipped thru. I have had a new set of MT-8's installed for approx 3 weeks,, these new units are Great,,, and i've been out on some very cold nights.

Magura was stellar in their respomse and customer support,,, I would reccommend Magura and their products to all !!!